| Mickie James | |
|---|---|
 James in 2019 | |
| Birth name | Mickie Laree James |
| Born | (1979-08-31)August 31, 1979 (age 45) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse(s) | |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | mickiejames |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Ring name(s) | Alexis Laree Mickie James Princess Alexis[1] La Luchadora |
| Billed height | 5 ft 2 in (157 cm)[2] |
| Billed weight | 124 lb (56 kg)[3] |
| Billed from | Richmond, Virginia Norfolk, Virginia[4] |
| Trained by | Funking Conservatory[5] KYDA Pro Training School[6] |
| Debut | August 28, 1999 |
| Musical career | |
| Genres | Country |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Labels | Entertainment One (2013–2016) Sony (2016–present) |
Musical artist | |
Mickie Laree James (born August 31, 1979)[7][8] is an Americancountry singer andprofessional wrestler. She is signed toWWE. She is also signed toOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as Creative Director, Head of Female Talent and Executive Producer. She is also known for her tenures inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) andNational Wrestling Alliance (NWA).
James began her wrestling career in 1999 as avalet on theindependent circuit, where she was known under the name Alexis Laree.[9] She trained in several camps to improve her wrestling abilities before working for NWA: Total Nonstop Action (NWA: TNA, later Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, later Impact Wrestling, now Total Nonstop Action Wrestling again) in 2002, where she gained national attention.[9][10] After only a few appearances, she joined astable calledThe Gathering and was written into storylines with the group. She is the only woman to be involved in the promotion'sClockwork Orange House of Fun matches.[11]
James made her World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) main roster debut in 2005 and was placed in a storyline withTrish Stratus, in which James'gimmick was that of Stratus' biggest fan turned obsessed stalker, an angle which ran over eight months.[12][9][13] She received apush and she won her firstWWE Women's Championship atWrestleMania 22, a championship she has held a total of five times. James also won her firstDivas Championship defeatingMaryse Ouellet atNight of Champions in 2009, to become the second of fiveDivas to hold both the Women's and Divas Championships.[14] She was released from the company in April 2010, after which she returned to TNA, where she became a three-timeTNA Knockouts Champion. James returned to WWE in 2013 as a guest trainer, then officially returned in 2016 before she was once again released in 2021. James would then make occasional appearances and would ultimately return to Impact Wrestling in 2021, winning her fourth and fifth Knockouts Championship, making James a total 11-time women's world champion between WWE and Impact.
James was born at Richmond Memorial Hospital inRichmond, Virginia, the daughter of Stuart James, a retired wastewater-treatment worker, landscaper, and VAIL League Division 3 Championship coach and Sandra Knuckles, a teacher and real-estate agent.[15] Her parents divorced while she was young. She has a sister, a half-sister, a half-brother, and three stepbrothers.[15] She grew up inMontpelier, Virginia, and graduated fromPatrick Henry High School in 1997.[15][16] While growing up, she spent a lot of time on her grandmother's horse farm, and developed a keen interest inequestrian sports.[16] She playedviolin for five years.[17]
A fan ofprofessional wrestling from an early age, James attended aprofessional wrestling school in theWashington, D.C., area at the suggestion of a friend.[16][18] She made her professional debut on theindependent circuit on 28 August 1999,[19] as a wrestler for KYDA Pro Wrestling under thering name Alexis Laree, a name created as the result of a combination of herstage name from when she was a dancer and her middle name.[6][9][20] Laree went on to manage several male wrestlers, including managingTommy Dreamer to win the KYDA Pro Heavyweight Championship.[11][21] In March, she wrestled in her first match, anintergender tag team match with Jake Damian against American Mike Brown and Candie.[11] She trained to improve her wrestling abilities by attending training camps such as theFunking Conservatory, aworkshop run byDory Funk Jr., and anExtreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)dojo. She also started competing forMaryland Championship Wrestling (MCW), where she trained at camps run byRicky Morton andBobby Eaton.[9][11] Beginning in 2002, she also made appearances forRing of Honor.[3]
Due to the low salary of the independent shows, James supplemented her income by working as a waitress at anOlive Garden restaurant, and posing nude for adult fetish magazinesLeg Show andNaughty Neighbors in the early 2000s,[22] before gaining fame and being subsequently signed by World Wrestling Entertainment in 2003.[citation needed]
While working inRing of Honor for a year, James also debuted as Alexis Laree inTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) on the company's first ever weeklypay-per-view, introduced as a participant in thelingeriebattle royal, which occurred the following week.[23][24] She was not prominently featured until March 26, 2003, when she teamed withAmazing Red as part of hisfeud against theX Division ChampionKid Kash andTrinity. Laree competed in her first singles match with the promotion on April 2, 2003, in a losing effort against Trinity.[9][25] Weeks later, she became the first member ofThe Gathering, astable led byRaven in his feud againstNWA World Heavyweight ChampionJeff Jarrett.[9] On April 16, Laree became the first (and thus far, only) woman to compete in aClockwork Orange House of Fun match, after the Gathering challenged and defeated Jarrett.[11][26] She continued to wrestle with the stable while they feuded withThe Disciples of the New Church, taking part in anangle withFather James Mitchell burning her with afireball and wrestling in another Clockwork Orange House of Fun match before leaving the company.[27][28][29]
After two years of sending tapes and making phone calls as well as wrestling a tryoutdark match withDawn Marie, James was signed to a developmental contract withWorld Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), who sent her to train atOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW), their then-developmental territory, in August 2003.[9][11][20] Still using the ring name Alexis Laree, she began making television appearances for OVW on January 29, 2004, and competed in several tag team matches throughout the year.[30][31] She also won aHalloween costume contest on October 30, and defeatedJillian Hall in a $1,000 match on November 12.[32]
On May 17, 2005, Laree was placed into a tournament for theOVW Television Championship. She defeatedMike Mondo in the first round, only to lose toBlaster Lashley in the next round.[30][33] She began a feud withBeth Phoenix on July 20 after Phoenix interrupted Laree during an interview, setting up a match on July 29, which Laree lost.[30][31] Their angle continued into September, withShelly Martinez being added to the storyline to side with Phoenix against Laree. On October 12, she appeared in OVW under her real name, and finished the year on the losing end of matches against Martinez and Jillian Hall.[30]
Under her real name, she debuted inWWE on the October 10, 2005, episode ofRaw as aface under thegimmick ofWWE Women's ChampionTrish Stratus' biggest fan.[12][34][35] The angle had the twoDivas competing together in tag team matches, with James' character becoming increasingly obsessed with Stratus.[36][37][38] The storyline included aHalloween costume contest, in which James was dressed like Stratus and helped Stratus retain the Women's Championship in aFulfill Your Fantasy battle royal atTaboo Tuesday by eliminating herself andVictoria at the same time.[39][40] James even began utilizing Stratus' signature finishing moves as her own during matches. James later became the number one contender for the WWE Women's Championship on December 12, by defeating Victoria in a match to determine who would face Stratus atNew Year's Revolution.[41] Subsequently, the storyline between Mickie and Stratus developed into alesbian angle, after James kissed Stratus[42] under a sprig ofmistletoe.[12][13][43] In the championship match at the pay-per-view, James lost to Stratus.[citation needed]
Despite the defeat, James continued to be enamored of Stratus, which made Stratus uncomfortable.[44] On March 6, 2006, the storyline had Stratus confronting James, telling her that they needed time apart from each other.[12][13][45] Through the early part of 2006, Mickie would attackAshley Massaro several times due to Massaro calling her "crazy". At theRoyal Rumble pay-per-view, James defeated Massaro with then-Women's Champion, Trish Stratus, as thespecial guest referee. James would also confess her love for Stratus at the event.[46] Massaro got revenge one week later onRaw.[47]
James and Stratus teamed together at the March 18, 2006Saturday Night's Main Event XXXII to defeatCandice Michelle and Victoria. After the match, James agreed to honor Stratus' wishes and attempted to kiss her. After Stratus pushed her away, James attacked Stratus and vowed to destroy her.[12][13][48] The feud between James and Stratus culminated in a Women's Championship match atWrestleMania 22, which James won, to earn her first Women's Championship in what was looked at as one of the best female matches ever produced at WrestleMania.[49] Her angle with Stratus continued intoBacklash during a rematch, after Stratuslegitimatelydislocated her shoulder when James threw her out of the ring.[50][51] The feud would come to an end on the June 26 episode ofRaw, when Mickie defeated Stratus in a Women's Championship match.[citation needed]
Jamesdropped theWWE Women's Championship on August 14 toLita, after Lita hit James with the title belt.[52] After the Women's Championship was vacated due to the retirement ofTrish Stratus, James entered a tournament to determine the new champion.[53] She defeatedVictoria andMelina en route to the finals atCyber Sunday, where she lost to Lita. James transitioned into aface after she and Lita wrestled in a series of matches in which Lita chose stipulations to hinder Mickie's wrestling ability.[54] The feud between James and Lita ended atSurvivor Series, where James defeated Lita, in the latter's retirement match, to win her second Women's Championship.[55]
James then began an angle with Melina on January 29, 2007, when Melina became the number one contender for the Women's Championship.[56][57] Following a successful title defense on February 5,[58] James teamed withSuper Crazy in amixed tag team match against Melina andJohnny Nitro. After Melinapinned James for the victory, she challenged her to a rematch for the title.[59] James would subsequently lose the Women's Championship to Melina on February 19 and, in continuation of their storyline feud, failed to regain the title during the first women'sFalls Count Anywhere match in WWE history.[60][61] During the finish of the match, James fell from the topturnbuckle and landed on her neck, which resulted in arushed finish. James, however, was not seriously injured in the incident.[62]
The scripted feud between James and Melina was rekindled during herphoto op onRaw.[63] At ahouse show inParis on April 24, James won her third Women's Championship during atriple threat match that also involved Victoria. Since Mickie pinned Victoria and not Melina, an immediate rematch was scheduled, in which James dropped the title back to Melina, giving her the shortest Women's Championship reign in WWE history.[64] James later received a rematch for the title atBacklash, but was unsuccessful. After Backlash, James would only make sporadic appearances on television, wrestling occasionally in tag-matches and rarely in singles competition. On the November 26 episode ofRaw, James defeated Melina in a number one contender's match forBeth Phoenix's Women's Championship,[65] setting up a title match between the two atArmageddon, in which Phoenix retained the title.[citation needed]
On the April 14, 2008, episode ofRaw, held inLondon, England, James defeated Beth Phoenix to win her fourth Women's Championship.[66] AtJudgment Day, James successfully defended her title against Melina and Beth Phoenix in a triple-threat match. Mickie re-entered the feud against Phoenix in mid-2008, where she andKofi Kingston teamed up against Phoenix andSantino Marella atSummerSlam in a Winner Takes All tag team match for both the Women's andIntercontinental Championships, in which Mickie and Kingston lost their titles to Phoenix and Marella.[67] After James lost the championship, she had two rematches for the title, but was unsuccessful in regaining it.[68][69] AtSurvivor Series in November, James was part of the victorious Raw Diva team which defeated theSmackDown Divas in a five-on-five elimination match; she eliminatedMichelle McCool, before being eliminated byMaryse.[70] The following month atArmageddon, James teamed withMaria,Michelle McCool andKelly Kelly in a winning effort against Jillian Hall, Maryse, Victoria andNatalya.[71]
Following an appearance in the 25-Divabattle royal atWrestleMania XXV,[72] James began feuding with theWWE Divas ChampionMaryse heading intoNight of Champions on July 26. At the event, James defeated Maryse to win her first Divas Championship, becoming only the second Diva in history to have held both theWomen's and Divas titles.[73] Throughout the Summer, Mickie successfully defended the title againstGail Kim andBeth Phoenix on episodes ofRaw,[74][75] and againstAlicia Fox at theHell in a Cell pay-per-view on October 4.[76] Two weeks later onRaw, James lost the title toJillian Hall after an approximate three month title reign.[77] After the show, James was traded to theSmackDown brand for the first time in her career, due to a Diva trade made byRaw guest hostNancy O'Dell.[78]
James made her debut with the brand on the October 23 episode ofSmackDown, defeatingLayla.[79] On the October 30 episode ofSmackDown, a controversial angle began that saw WWE Women's ChampionMichelle McCool and Layla, collectively known asLayCool, bully James. On the November 20 episode ofSmackDown, after James defeated Layla, McCool gave James thenickname "Piggy James", that sent James to tears, resulting in a five-on-fiveSurvivor Series match at the November pay-per-viewSurvivor Series, where James' team prevailed over McCool's team, with James andMelina as the sole survivors.[80] On the December 4 episode ofSmackDown, James became the number one contender for McCool's Women's Championship by defeating Beth Phoenix andNatalya in a triple threat match.[81] The following week, James challenged McCool for the championship atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, but was unsuccessful after interference from Layla.[82][83] On the January 22 edition of Smackdown, another controversial segment in the feud took place when Laycool beatdown James, force-fed her a pig shaped cake and dumped a bowl of punch on her head, leaving her sobbing and defeated in the ring. The storyline feud continued into theRoyal Rumble on January 31, 2010, where James finally defeated McCool in 20 seconds to become a five-time Women's Champion, the second most reigns with the old WWE Women's Championship after Trish Stratus, who has had 7 reigns. Over the following couple of weeks,SmackDown consultantVickie Guerrero was introduced into the rivalry, choosing to side with LayCool over James. On the February 26 episode ofSmackDown, McCool used her rematch clause to face James for the Women's Championship, with Guerrero acting asspecial guest referee. After Guerrero slapped James, McCool pinned her to regain the title.[84]
On March, James was diagnosed with astaph infection on her right knee, putting her out of action for three weeks.[85] She returned on the March 22 episode ofRaw, where alongsideKelly Kelly, she accompaniedEve Torres, Beth Phoenix, andGail Kim in their losing effort against McCool, Maryse and Layla, who had Vickie Guerrero and Alicia Fox in their corner.[86] This set up a 10-Diva tag team match atWrestleMania XXVI, in which James made an unsuccessful in-ring return after Vickie pinned Kelly.[87] James made her last appearance onRaw during a rematch, where her team was victorious. James' final match in WWE aired on the April 23 episode ofSmackDown where she teamed with former long-time rival Beth Phoenix against LayCool in a losing effort when she was pinned by Layla.[88] James was released from WWE one day earlier on April 22, having pre-taped herSmackDown match.[89] According to James, WWE explained the decision as due to desiring to "move in a new direction with their women's division".[90]
Sporadic appearances (2013)
In November 2013, James served as guest trainer at theWWE Performance Center inOrlando, Florida, for a week, trainingNXT's female wrestlers. James also attended that week's NXTlive event inTampa, Florida.[91]
James made her return to theindependent circuit in April 2010, as part ofWorld Wrestling Council (WWC), teaming withCarlito to defeat the team ofODB andChristopher Daniels. James won the bout after pinning Daniels.[92][unreliable source?] On July 11, as part of their Anniversary weekend, she defeated ODB in a singles match. On the last day of that month, James returned to one of her early promotions,Maryland Championship Wrestling (MCW), to wrestleMia Yim in a winning effort.[93][unreliable source?] The following month, she contested for theWomen Superstars Uncensored (WSU)Championship againstMercedes Martinez, but she was unsuccessful.[94][unreliable source?] She also returned toDory Funk's promotion, recording a tag team match for!Bang! TV. James also accompaniedDory Funk Jr. during his match, and sung "The Star-Spangled Banner" during!Bang! TV's tribute to the troops.[95][unreliable source?] On September 18, James served as aspecial guest referee for a three-way match between ODB, Persephone and Kristin Flake for the SCWA Ladies' Title during Southern California Wrestling Association's (SCWA) 'CAGED event inWentworth, North Carolina, where all matches took place in acage.[96][unreliable source?][97]
In early 2011, James began appearing for Covey Promotions. AtAll or Nothing 5 on April 30, James defeatedHannah Blossom to become the first Covey Pro Women's Champion.[98] During her time withTNA, James made several appearances for independent wrestling promotions such as Pro Championship Wrestling, Legends of the Ring, Northeast Wrestling and National Wrestling Superstars.[99][unreliable source]On November 11, 2011, James lost the Covey Pro Women's Championship to the debutingJessie Belle Smothers.[98]
James made her debut forPro Wrestling Elite (PWE) inAyr, Scotland on September 15, 2012, atHistory Is Born, where she wrestled Kay Lee Ray to a no contest.[100] After the match, James teamed up with Ray in a winning effort against Carmel and Nikki Storm. The following night, James competed against Carmel in a winning effort.[100] James returned to Pro Wrestling Elite at their second anniversary eventElite Bro on July 20, 2013, in a winning effort against Nikki Storm.[101] On September 21, James made an appearance at theWrestling Spectacular 2 all-female event inEdison, New Jersey, alongside many formerWWE and TNA female wrestlers, such asAngelina Love,Katarina Waters,Rosita andBrooke Adams. James and Love fought in the main event, withCandice Michelle as the special guest referee, where Love pinned James after interference fromVelvet Sky.[102][unreliable source?][103][unreliable source?] James made appearances for Big Time Wrestling in August 2013, doing so as a villainess wrestlingReby Sky several times in different dates and locations, winning in all bouts against Sky.[104][105][106] On October 12, Mickie again appeared for the promotion, beating Quebec's Midianne inBristol, Connecticut.[107][unreliable source?] On February 8, 2014, James returned to Maryland Championship Wrestling for theAnniversary 2014 event inJoppa, Maryland, to face Angelina Love, promoted as "Battle of the Bombshells". Although originally promoted as a singles match, interference by MCW's Renee Michelles' and Jessie Kayes' rivalry occurred during the match, resulting in the match being turned into a tag team match with Mickie and Michelle facing Angelina and Kayes, which James and Michelle won.[108][109]
On April 25, 2014, at theBerkeley Springs High School theater inWest Virginia, James headlined the Covey Promotion 3rd Annual Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony, as she was inducted into the Covey Pro Hall Of Hame Class of 2014.[110] The next day, during theAll or Nothing 8! event which was aired on May 17 as the 154th episode of Covey Pro TV, James was interrupted during an interview by Amber Rodriguez, who mocked James on herlegitimatepregnancy and gave her a pie as a tease, and in return, James shoved the pie in Amber's face. Jessie Belle Smothers came to the rescue and battled Rodriguez as James was escorted out by security. Two months after giving birth to her child, James returned to in-ring competition atQueens Of Combat 3 on November 30, where she defeatedTessa Blanchard after turning heel during the match and resorting to villainous tactics.[111] On May 16, James debuted for First State Championship Wrestling (1CW) unsuccessfully challengingKacee Carlisle for the 1CW Women's Championship after getting herself disqualified.[citation needed]
On June 19, 2015, at Maryland Championship Wrestling'sLadies Night event, James defeated Amber Rodriguez (withLisa Marie Varon as thespecial guest referee andMelina as the enforcer) to win the MCW Women's Championship, despite being attacked by the villainous Melina during the match.[112] On November 13,Kimber Lee defeated James to win the MCW Women's Championship after interference from Amber Rodriguez. The following night, James gained a measure of revenge by defeating Rodriguez in a Loser Leaves MCW match, causing Rodriguez to leave the company. On February 2, 2016, James made an appearance forChikara in a losing effort against Grand Champion PrincessKimber Lee.[113] On April 1, 2016, James returned to Queens of Combat and defeatedLuFisto atQueens of Combat 10.[114]
On September 2, 2016, James made her debut forChikara, when she entered the2016 King of Trios tournament as part of Team Original Divas Revolution, alongsideJazz and Victoria. They defeated Team Shimmer (Candice LeRae, Crazy Mary Dobson and Solo Darling) in their first round match.[115] The following day, Team Original Divas Revolution was eliminated from the tournament by The Warriors Three (Oleg the Usurper,Princess KimberLee and ThunderFrog).[116]
James worked as head trainer for theVirginia based promotion Ground Xero Wrestling (GXW) Training Academy.[117] She trained students at the Richmond location.[118][119] James beat Renee Michelle for the GXW Women's Championship while with the promotion.[120]
On September 22, 2010, it was reported that James had signed a contract withTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).[121] James returned to the promotion on October 7'sBefore The Glory special episode ofImpact!, when she was introduced as thespecial guest referee for theTNA Knockouts Championship match betweenAngelina Love,Velvet Sky,Madison Rayne andTara atBound for Glory.[122] At the pay-per-view, James counted the pinfall which made Tara the new Knockouts Champion, prompting Rayne to shove James amidst an argument with Tara, and James replying with a punch.[123] On the following episode ofImpact!, Tara lost the title to Rayne, while James made her intentions for the Knockouts title clear, after a confrontation with the new champion.[124] James wrestled her return match the following week, defeatingSarita, before being attacked by Rayne's ally, Tara. James wrestled her first TNA pay-per-view match atTurning Point, where she battled Tara to a double disqualification.[125]
On the November 18 episode ofImpact! James defeated Angelina Love to become the number one contender to the championship.[126] AtFinal Resolution, James was defeated by Tara in aFalls Count Anywhere match, following interference from Madison Rayne after she sprayed a fire extinguisher and hit James with the Knockouts title belt.[127] On the following episode ofImpact!, James defeated Tara in asteel cage match.[128] On January 9, 2011, atGenesis, James lost her match against Rayne for the Knockouts Championship due to interference from Tara.[129] The following month atAgainst All Odds, James once again failed to win the Knockouts Championship, this time losing to Rayne in aLast Knockout Standing match, after another interference by Tara.[130] On the March 17 episode ofImpact!, Rayne agreed to give James another title match atLockdown, with the added stipulation that should James fail to win the title, she would have toshave her hair off.[131] On March 18, Jameslegitimately separated her shoulder at a TNAhouse show inJacksonville, Florida.[132] James's injury was put into a storyline, where it was caused by Rayne and Tara running over her with Tara's motorcycle.[133]
On April 17, James defeatedMadison Rayne in asteel cage match, which lasted less than a minute, to win theTNA Knockouts Championship for the first time.[134] With the win, James became the first woman in history to have held theWWE Women's Championship, theWWE Divas Championship, and the TNA Knockouts Championship.[135] On the May 5 episode ofImpact!, James made her first successful title defense againstMs. Tessmacher.[136] On May 15 atSacrifice, James successfully defended her title against Madison Rayne and helped Tara get a release from her alliance with Rayne.[137] The following month atSlammiversary IX, James successfully defended her title againstAngelina Love, however after the match both Love andWinter attacked her.[138] On June 18, James made her debut for TNA's Mexican partnerLucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) atTriplemanía XIX, where she teamed withAngelina Love,Sexy Star andVelvet Sky to defeatCynthia Moreno,Faby Apache, Lolita andMari Apache in an eight-woman tag team match.[139] James returned to AAA on July 9, teaming with Sexy Star to defeat the Apaches in a tag team match, after which she challenged Mari to a match for herAAA Reina de Reinas Championship.[140] On July 31 atVerano de Escándalo, James competed in an eight-way match for the Reina de Reinas Championship, becoming the last person eliminated by the new champion,Pimpinela Escarlata.[141][142] On the June 23 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James was defeated by Winter in a non-titleStreet Fight, following outside interference from Love.[143] This led to a match on August 7 atHardcore Justice, where James lost the Knockouts Championship to Winter, following multiple interferences from Love and ared mist from Winter.[144] On the following episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Madison Rayne to earn a rematch for the title.[145] On the September 1 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Winter to win her second TNA Knockouts Championship.[146][147] On September 11 atNo Surrender, Jamesdropped the title back to Winter.[148] On the September 22 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Ms. Tessmacher to earn another shot at the championship atBound for Glory, in a four-way match with defending champion Winter, Madison Rayne andVelvet Sky, which Sky would win.[149][150]
On the November 17 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated nine other Knockouts in agauntlet match to earn a championship match with the new champion,Gail Kim.[151] On December 11 atFinal Resolution, Gail defeated James to retain the championship, following a distraction from Madison Rayne.[152] In the main event of the December 29 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James challenged Kim for the championship, but was defeated following interference from Rayne. On the January 5, 2012, episode ofImpact Wrestling, James andTraci Brooks failed to capture theTNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship from Kim and Rayne.[153] Three days later atGenesis, James lost another championship match against Kim, after being disqualified for using the brass knuckles that were thrown into the ring by Rayne, who was locked in a cage suspended in the air during the match.[154] On the January 19 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Rayne in a steel cage match.[155] On the January 26 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James and Velvet Sky were defeated by Tara in a three-way number one contender's match for the Knockouts Championship.[156] On the April 5 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James was defeated by Sky in a six-way number one contenders match, also involving Angelina Love, Madison Rayne,Tara, and Winter.[157] On the June 7 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James again failed to earn a shot at the Knockouts Championship when she was defeated by Ms. Tessmacher in a four-way match that also included Tara and Velvet Sky, while also showing signs of aheel turn due to jealousy of Sky.[158] On the June 21 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James was chosen over Sky as the next challenger for the Knockouts Championship, but failed to recapture the title from Ms. Tessmacher.[159] James' storyline with Sky ended abruptly the following month, when Sky was granted her release from TNA.[160] On the August 2 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James unsuccessfully competed in a four-way number one contenders match involving Gail Kim, Tara and the eventual winner Madison Rayne.[161] After a three-month absence, James returned on the November 15 episode ofImpact Wrestling, winning a Knockoutsbattle royal to become the number one contender to the Knockouts Championship.[162] On December 9 atFinal Resolution, James was unsuccessful in winning the championship from Tara after a distraction from her boyfriendJesse.[163] James received another shot at the championship on the December 20 episode ofImpact Wrestling, but was again defeated by Tara.[164] On January 13, 2013, at theGenesis pay-per-view, James competed in a five-woman gauntlet match to determine the number one contender to the Knockout Championship, but was eliminated by Gail Kim.[165]
On the April 18 ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Ms. Tessmacher to become the number one contender to the Knockouts Championship.[166] James began turningheel during her title match against defending champion Velvet Sky on the following week, when she targeted Sky's injured knee; James was defeated Sky.[167] On the May 23 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James defeated Sky after attacking her injured knee to become a three-time Knockouts Champion.[168] The following week, James continued portraying a villainous persona by calling out Velvet Sky, acting sarcastic and pompous towards her, and also did not help Sky when she was attacked by Gail Kim.[169] James cemented her heel turn on the June 13 episode ofImpact Wrestling, when she attacked Sky when the latter said that she was ready for a rematch.[170] James and Sky had their rematch on the June 27 episode ofImpact Wrestling, where James retained her championship.[171] On the July 4 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James justified her actions by claiming that getting to the top of the Knockouts division requires "clawing and scratching your way to the top"; James also claimed that "no woman would ever be as great as her" and she'll "stand atop the division as the greatest Knockouts Champion of all time".[172] On the July 25 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James successfully defended the championship against Gail Kim.[173] At the September 6 airing ofKnockout Knockdown, James defeatedSerena Deeb to qualify for the gauntletbattle royal finals, in which James was lastly eliminated by Gail Kim.[174][175] James lost the Knockouts Championship on the September 19 episode ofImpact Wrestling toODB. Four days later, it was revealed that James had failed to come to terms on a contract renewal with TNA. James later stated in an interview that she technically wasn't under contract with TNA, but she did not confirm that she was gone. On November 15, 2013, James appeared in an interview onWWE.com, discussing her history with WWE and the possibility of making a return to the company.[176] At the December 6 airing ofWorld Cup of Wrestling, James was a member ofTeam USA, along withJames Storm,Christopher Daniels,Kazarian andKenny King. James was defeated by TeamAces & Eights'Ivelisse Vélez following interference from the other members of Aces & Eights. Team USA would go on to defeat Team Aces & Eights in a 5-on-5 elimination tag team match, in which James gained a measure of retribution by eliminating Vélez during the match; James and Storm were presented with the trophy afterward.[177][178]
James made a surprise return toTNA as afan favorite, after a year and a half absence from the company, on January 30, 2015, during the tapings ofImpact Wrestling inGlasgow, Scotland.[179] James would then have several confrontations withBram over his actions towards her real life fiancé,Magnus. On the April 24 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James retired from wrestling to focus on becoming a full-time mother, butJames Storm talked her into having one more match.[180] On the June 3 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James declined an offer by Storm to joinThe Revolution, which resulted in him intentionally shoving her onto a train track in the storyline, which sparked controversy. This was done to write off James from television, as she had no more dates set with the company at the time.[181] James made her return on the July 1 episode ofImpact Wrestling, confronting Storm and challenging him to an intergender tag team match. After the match, James got revenge on Storm and she delivered a jumping DDT on him.[182] On the July 29 episode ofImpact Wrestling, James and Magnus defeated Storm and his partnerSerena, when James pinned Serena.[183]
On July 7, 2015, James signed withGlobal Force Wrestling (GFW). On July 24, at GFW's inaugural tapings inLas Vegas, Nevada, James lost a three-way GFW Women's Championship tournament qualifying match that also includedLei'D Tapa and the ultimate winner,Christina Von Eerie.[184] On January 22,Christina Von Eerie defeated James andKimber Lee to retain the GFW Women's Championship.[185]
On October 13, 2016, it was announced that James would return to WWE'sdevelopmental brandNXT at theNXT TakeOver: Toronto event on November 19, competing againstAsuka for theNXT Women's Championship.[186] On the October 26 episode ofNXT, James cut apromo where she formally re–introduced herself and challenged Asuka for the championship.[187] At the event, James was defeated and after the match Asuka refused to shake her hand as a sign of disrespect.[188] On December 8, it was announced that James had signed a multi–year contract with WWE.[189][190] According to James, she asked to return under her previous character, which she later would see as a "throwback".[191]
On the January 17, 2017, episode ofSmackDown Live, James made her return by helpingAlexa Bliss retain herSmackDown Women's Championship againstBecky Lynch in aSteel Cage match, revealing herself as the woman under the "La Luchadora"gimmick and establishing herself as aheel character, while also allying with Bliss.[192] She competed in her first match in nearly seven years in a WWE main roster ring on January 29, 2017, at theRoyal Rumble pay–per–view, teaming with Bliss andNatalya against Lynch,Naomi, andNikki Bella in a losing effort.[193] James went on to face Lynch at theElimination Chamber pay–per–view in another losing effort.[194] She would defeat Lynch in a rematch on the edition of February 14 ofSmackDown, but would lose aTwo-Out-of-Three Falls match two weeks later to end the storyline.[195][196] In March, James turnedface after hitting Bliss with aMick Kick,[197] ending their brief alliance and leading to a non-title match between the two on the edition of March 14 ofSmackDown, in which James was victorious.[198] AtWrestleMania 33, James took part in asix–pack challenge for Bliss’ SmackDown Women's Championship, which saw Naomi winning the title.[199]
Shortly after Wrestlemania, James was drafted toRaw as part of the2017 Superstar Shake–Up.[200] In October, after being named the No. 1 Contender byRaw General ManagerKurt Angle, James faced Bliss for theRaw Women's Championship atTLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, but was unsuccessful in capturing the title. A few weeks later on the edition of October 30 ofRaw, James once again challenged Bliss for the title in themain event but came up short.[201][202] On January 28, 2018, at theRoyal Rumble, James entered the first-everwomen's Royal Rumble match at No. 26 and lasted over 8 minutes before being eliminated by long–time rivalTrish Stratus.[203] The following month, James competed in the first-ever women'sElimination Chamber match at thenamesake pay–per–view, where she entered at No. 5 and eliminatedSonya Deville after a divingLou Thesz press off the top of a pod before being eliminated byBayley.[204]
On the February 26 episode ofRaw, James proceeded to turn heel and realigned herself with Bliss.[205] AtWrestleMania 34, James participated in the first-everWrestleMania Women's Battle Royal for the WrestleMania Women's Battle RoyalTrophy, but was eliminated from the match byRuby Riott.[206] Later that night, she had planned tomanage Bliss to her title defense againstNia Jax, but was attacked and ejected by Jax before the match began.[207] In May, James competed unsuccessfully in aTriple Threat match against Bliss and Bayley, as well as aGauntlet match in attempts to qualify for the women'sMoney in the Bank ladder match.[208][209] In August, James returned from a brief hiatus at the sides of Alexa Bliss andAlicia Fox. With Bliss, the tandem began a scriptedfeud with her former rivals andWWE Hall of FamersTrish Stratus andLita, setting up atag team match atWWE Evolution, WWE's first-ever all-women's pay–per–view.[210] Just three days before the event on October 25, however, it was announced that Bliss was pulled out of the match due to a concussion, and that Fox would be her replacement.[211] In the event's opening contest, James and Fox were unsuccessful against Stratus and Lita.[212]
On November 18 atSurvivor Series, James was selected by Bliss to be a part of TeamRaw along with Nia Jax,Tamina, Bayley andSasha Banks to go against TeamSmackDown's Naomi,Carmella, Sonya Deville, Asuka andMandy Rose. TeamRaw came out victorious after Jax was the sole survivor.[213] The victory also upped James’ undefeated streak to 5–0 at Survivor Series.[214] The next night onRaw, James was selected by “General Manager-Elect”Baron Corbin to answer an open-challenge by Raw Women's ChampionRonda Rousey, but lost the title match via submission.[215] Meanwhile, James andBobby Lashley were announced as one of the teams that would be competing in season 2 ofMixed Match Challenge. Despite pulling ahead with a 3–0 lead on the competition, the duo lost to Bayley andFinn Bálor in the playoffs and were eliminated from the tournament.[216] Back onRaw, James made history on the edition of December 17 by competing in the most matches by a female Superstar in the show's 25-year history with 164 total combined matches by this point.[217] On January 27, 2019, at theRoyal Rumble, James entered the second women's Royal Rumble match at number 5 and lasted over 11 minutes before being eliminated by Tamina.[218] The following night onRaw, James once again aligned herself with Bliss in hopes of qualifying for theElimination Chamber event to crown the first-everWWE Women's Tag Team Champions, but the long-time allies lost their tag team match to Nia Jax and Tamina.[219] James would later compete in the second-annual WrestleMania Women's Battle Royal atWrestleMania 35 for the trophy, eliminating Mandy Rose from the match before subsequently being eliminated by Sonya Deville.[220]
As part of the2019 Superstar Shake-up, James was drafted back to theSmackDown brand.[221] During alive event on June 1, it was reported that James had suffered a torn ACL.[222] On July 16, James underwent successful knee surgery and would be out of action for seven to nine months.[223] During her recovery from injury, James would become a commentator forMain Event.[224]
After 14 months of injury, James returned on the August 10, 2020, episode ofRaw as a face, only to have her interview interrupted byNatalya andLana.[225][226] This set up a singles match against Natalya the following week, which saw James lose by countout thanks to interference from Lana. On the August 31 episode ofRaw, James confronted the Raw Women's ChampionAsuka, stating her intentions of going after the title. During this exchange, Lana and Natalya interrupted staking their claims, leading to a singles match between James and Lana in which James defeated her via pinfall.[227] On the September 14 episode ofRaw, James challenged Asuka for the Raw Women's Championship, but lost after abotched finish due to the referee believing that James could no longer compete.[228][229] In the2020 WWE Draft in October, James went undrafted.[citation needed]
Her first post-draft appearance occurred on January 4, 2021, during the special "Legends Night" episode ofRaw, appearing alongside several other WWE legends. That same month, James competed in the women'sRoyal Rumble match entering at No. 19, but was eliminated byLacey Evans. In April, she appeared on stage during the opening ofWrestleMania 37 alongside the rest of the active roster.[230] On April 15, 2021, WWE announced that they had released Mickie James along with several other talent.[231] Prior, she had participated in commentary on shows such as Main Event and NXT. Her release was met with some controversy, as she claimed her belongings were sent to her in a trash bag. Several other former talent such asJillian Hall,Maria Kanellis andGail Kim voiced similar experiences when they were fired. The senior employee responsible for this was let go, and James received a public apology fromStephanie McMahon.[citation needed]
James made herNational Wrestling Alliance debut on the June 8, 2021, episode ofNWA Powerrr, announcing that she will serve as an executive producer for the first all-female event,NWA EmPowerrr.[232][233][234][235][236] On June 23, James announced on an Instagram video that she will be returning to the ring and delivers an open challenge to anyone to wrestle her at theNWA 73rd Anniversary Show.[237] The challenge was answered byKylie Rae, which James has defeated.[238]
James last appearance on NWA was on the May 3, 2022, ofPowerrr, where she defeatedKenzie Paige.[239]
AtSlammiversary on July 17, 2021, James made her third return to TNA, now known asImpact Wrestling, after a six-year absence, invitingImpact Knockouts ChampionDeonna Purrazzo to defend the title atNWA EmPowerrr, where she is executive producer, only for Purrazzo to give her disrespect, then James kicked Purrazzo in the face.[240][241] Purrazzo would eventually accept James' invite, successfully defending the Knockouts Championship againstMelina at NWA EmPowerrr.[242] The next night, atNWA 73, Purrazzo attacked James after the latter's match withKylie Rae.[243] On the September 23 episode ofImpact!, it was announced that James would make her in-ring return to Impact, as she challenged Purrazzo for the Knockouts Championship atBound for Glory.[244] On the September 30 episode ofImpact!, Purrazzo attacked James at her home and wild brawl ensued with Purrazzo coming out on top after dunking James head in a bucket of water and leaving her laid out in a field. At Bound for Glory, James defeated Purrazzo to win the Impact Knockouts Championship for the fourth time.[245][246] AtTurning Point, after successfully retained the title againstMercedes Martinez, James was attacked by Purrazzo, who announced that she would invoke her rematch clause atHard To Kill.[247][248] At the event, on January 8, 2022, James successfully retained the title against Purrazzo in aTexas Deathmatch.[249][250]
AtSacrifice, James lost her Knockouts World Championship toTasha Steelz, ending her fourth reign at 133 days.[251] During a rematch, James was betrayed by best friend Chelsea Green, who turned heel. After teasing retirement on Twitter,[252] James returned on the September 1, 2022, edition ofImpact!, to announce that she would retire after she lost her next match unless she won the Knockouts World Championship once more, while also naming her final run The Last Rodeo.[253] She went on to win every match after this announcement, defeatingGisele Shaw atVictory Road,Mia Yim atBound for Glory,Taylor Wilde atOver Drive, and eventuallyJordynne Grace atHard To Kill to end The Last Rodeo, winning the Knockouts World Championship for the fifth time.[254][255]
On the January 7, 2022, episode ofSmackDown, James was announced as a participant in the women's Royal Rumble match atRoyal Rumble, while being acknowledged asImpact Knockouts World Champion.[256] Later that night, Impact Wrestling also promoted her upcoming appearance.[257] It was the first direct crossover of any kind between WWE and Impact Wrestling. During the Royal Rumble, she entered at No. 20 with her Impact theme (Hardcore Country) and with the Impact Knockouts World Championship belt. She lasted just under 12 minutes in the match, managing to eliminate her former rivalMichelle McCool and was later eliminated by another former rival,Lita.[258]
On February 28, atNo Surrender, James successfully defended the title againstMasha Slamovich.[259] James was scheduled to defend the title against Grace atSacrifice on March 24, however, it was revealed that James would not be able to defend the title due to real-life injury.[260] On the April 13 episode ofImpact! uponRebellion, which was filmed on tape delay on March 13, James relinquished the title as she was not medically cleared to compete.[261]
In 2024, James signed withOhio Valley Wrestling (OVW) as Creative Director, Head of Female Talent and Executive Producer of OVW's wrestling shows.[262][263]
James' firstcountry music album,Strangers & Angels, was released on May 18, 2010, oniTunes. The album was self-released with an independent team. On December 2, 2010, James released another single called, "Hardcore Country", which was also used as her entrance music withTNA and on theirindependent circuit appearances. A music video for the single was first shown during James's first appearance onTNA Spin Cycle. For her second album, James joined aKickstarter campaign in order to partially fund the album. Fans who contributed donations received special items from the campaign. The online campaign was a success, with a total pledge of $16,500 out of a $5,000 goal. The funds helped to produce the first six songs from the album. The album, called "Somebody's Gonna Pay" was released on May 7, 2013, under the labelEntertainment One (eOne) Music, and debuted on the music charts at No. 15 on theBillboards Heatseekers charts.[264][265] James also filmed a music video for the song "Somebody's Gonna Pay", from her second album of the same name. The video features formerWWE Women's Champion,Trish Stratus and James' then-fiancéMagnus. TNA founder,Jeff Jarrett, was also on set of the video inNashville, Tennessee. Jarrett did not appear in the video, but taught James how to swing a guitar.[266] While she worked for TNA, James also toured around the United States, holding small concerts at various venues.[citation needed]
James has opened shows forMontgomery Gentry,Randy Houser,Gretchen Wilson andRascal Flatts. James also performed at the 2011CMA Music Festival. James again performed at CMA Fest in 2013, whereEric Young andJames Storm made appearances at the event. In 2014, James collaborated with country artistCowboy Troy and fellow wrestler James Storm on a song titled "Is Everybody Doing OK", which is featured on Cowboy Troy's album,King of Clubs.[267][268][269][270]
On November 19, 2016, James released a new song entitled "Shooting Blanks".[271]
On October 14, 2017, James was inducted into The Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame. She also received a Nammy for "Song of the Year" for her recording "Shooting Blanks". On October 13, 2018, James won “Best Single Recording” for her song “Left Right Left” at the Native American Music Awards.[272]
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country [273] | US Heat [274] | ||
| Strangers & Angels |
| — | — |
| Somebody's Gonna Pay |
| 56 | 15 |
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Hardcore Country"[277] | 2010 | Somebody's Gonna Pay |
| "Somebody's Gonna Pay"[278] | 2013 | |
| "Shooting Blanks"[271] | 2016 | Non-album singles |
| "Get Down"[279] | 2017 | |
| "Don't Be Afraid to Fly"[280] | 2018 | |
| "Left Right Left"[281] (featuringYing Yang Twins) | ||
| "I Don't Give A"[282] | 2019 | |
| "Great Minds"[283] | ||
| "Christmas Presence"[284] | ||
| "With the Love of a Child"[285] (featuring Rosevelt Sings &Holy Spirit Catholic School Tuscaloosa Choir) | 2020 | |
| "Grown Ass Woman"[286] (withChapel Hart) | 2021 | |
| "Pissed"[287] | 2022 | |
| "Sandbar Sunsets"[288] | 2023 |
| Title | Year | Director(s) | Ref. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| As lead artist | ||||
| "Somebody's Gonna Pay" | 2013 | Blake Judd | [289] | |
| "Left Right Left" (featuring Ying Yang Twins) | 2018 | Unknown | [290] | |
| "I Don't Give A" | 2019 | [291] | ||
| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Is Everybody Doing OK"[268] | 2014 | Cowboy Troy,"The Cowboy" James Storm | King of Clubs |
James, along withKen Anderson, representedWWE at the2008 Republican National Convention, in an effort to persuade fans to register to vote in the2008 Presidential election.[292] On April 13, 2008, James, along withLayla,Melina andKelly Kelly, appeared as guest trainers inOver the Ropes.[293] On September 5 of that same year, James appeared on theUSA Network showPsych, portraying a villainousroller derby girl called Rita "Lethal Weapon" Westwood, in the episode "Talk Derby to Me".[294][295] James made a special appearance onRedemption Song which is hosted byChris Jericho along withCandice Michelle,Maryse, andEve Torres. It was originally aired on November 12, 2008.[296] In 2012, James was featured inBucky Covington's music video for his song "Drinking Side of Country".[297] In June 2013, James starred in aDr Pepper advert, which featured "One of a Kind" individuals talking about the role of Dr. Pepper in their lives.[298] James joined the cast ofThe Last Match: A Pro-Wrestling Rock Experience for their national tour in April 2024.[299]
| Year | Title | Ref. |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007 | [300] |
| 2007 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2008 | [301] |
| 2008 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2009 | [302] |
| 2009 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2010 | [303] |
| 2010 | WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2011 | [304] |
| 2017 | WWE 2K18 | [305] |
| 2018 | WWE 2K19 | [306] |
| 2019 | WWE 2K20 | [307] |
| 2020 | WWE 2K Battlegrounds | [308] |
| 2022 | WWE 2K22 | [309] |
Mickie James isNative American of thePowhatan tribe.[310][311][312]
When James retires from wrestling, she plans to own a farm and become ahorse trainer.[313] She owns threeMorgan horses named Rhapsody, Bunny and Casanova,[314] as well as two dogs, one named Butch and aMiniature Pinscher named Elvis.[315] Outside of wrestling, James received herAssociate of Arts degree inbusiness administration, and studied for herBachelor of Arts degree in operations management.[314]
James has atattoo of a symbol meaning 'love' on her ankle, and a dragon that wraps around it.[316] She is a fan ofequestrian andAmerican football, supporting theDallas Cowboys.[317]
In 2007, James was engaged to fellow wrestlerKenny Dykstra.[318] In December 2010 James started dating English professional wrestlerNick Aldis and on September 25, 2014, they had their first child, a boy named Donovan Patrick Aldis.[319][320] James and Aldis got engaged in December 2014[321] and married on December 31, 2015.[322]
On November 28, 2022, James' brother, Wayne, his 16-year-old stepdaughter, and her best friend, died in a car accident which also involved Wayne's wife, who was left in critical condition.[323]
| Winner (wager) | Loser (wager) | Location | Event | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mickie James (hair) | Madison Rayne (title) | Cincinnati, Ohio | TNA Lockdown | April 17, 2011 | [134] |
| Mickie James (career) | Jordynne Grace (title) | Atlanta, Georgia | Hard to Kill | January 13, 2023 | [346] |
| Organizations | Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native American Music Awards | 2017 | Song/Single of the Year | "Shooting Blanks" | Won | |
| 2018 | Best Country Recording | "Don’t be Afraid to Fly" | Nominated | ||
| Best Single Recording | "Left Right Left" | Won | |||
| Best Music Video for a Concept | "Left Right Left" | Nominated | |||
Mickie James – Funking Conservatory Alumnus
Born at Richmond Memorial Hospital in 1979....
Born at Richmond Memorial Hospital in 1979....
Alexis Laree, still selling her burn injury, was nowhere to be seen.
Alexis Laree won a "$1,000" Match over Jillian Hall
I'm also Native American...
James, a Powhatan...
James, 41, is from Richmond, Virginia. She is part Native American of the Powhatan tribe.
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